rope splicing course

[marina95]

anyone know where I can go to attend a rope-splicing course?

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[Joe_Cole]

I don't know, but if you find one do let me know.

Splicing seems to be a bit of a black art to me. If the rope is ordinary 3 strand no problem, but when it comes to braided ropes I can't even identify exactly which type of rope it is! I've tried all the books, I've tried all the magazine articles, I've bought all the tools, but got nowhere.

Pity, I'ld love to be able to do it!

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[john_morris_uk]

I know that one of the major rope suppliers sends a rep round the chandlers to teach splicing - because they sent one to Yachtparts in Plymouth last year and I was admiring the splices that the staff had done after their lesson.

No doubt if a sea school thought there was a market, a course would be arranged. Do you want me to ask any of the schools I know?

Is there any such thing as 'rope' on a boat by the way? Rope is what comes off the reel - by the time its got a job on a boat its called something else... discuss - or perhaps I should save it for the 1000th post... which is a long way off at this rate.

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[branko]

Last weekend I decided that it is not for me. I bought splicing tools , have manual with only five sequences - but after few hours of trials NO WAY.
I shell stay with bowline knot.


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[Joe_Cole]

Yes, please, do ask...it's one of those skills that I feel I should have. I think also that a splice is supposed to be stronger than a knot.

Interesting question about calling it "rope", but what other word can you use without seeming pedantic or affected? I have a 1950's "Manual of Seamanship" which talks about "Cordage" as well as "rope". It defines anything less that half inch as "small stuff", which would include most "lines" on many boats. We talk about "string" sometimes.

What I do know is that if a newcomer is on the boat I will ask them to "Pull that rope" (usually followed by, "No not that one, the other one"!)

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Joe_Cole on 04/12/2004 20:40 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[machurley22]

Joe,

In the fifties they still sized rope by circumference I think so half-inch would be approx. 2mm today.

Dave

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[Joe_Cole]

Oh! I've often been confused about that....this site can be informative at times! Out of interest when did it change?

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[graham]

Changed on going metric.Imperial measurement is circumference and metric is diameter.

No idea why.

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[machurley22]

Don't know sorry. Chichester was still talking circumferences (and circumnavigations) in the sixties but hell - I still use inches and mm depending on the way the wind is blowing.

Dave

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[Talbot]

If you were trying to splice braid on braid, were you using old rope, because it is VERY difficult and rarely successfull. However, the same splice with new rope is relatively straightforward - give it a try.

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[bob_tyler]

"Is there any such thing as 'rope' on a boat by the way?"

The only one I know of is the bolt rope on a mainsail.

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[machurley22]

Sorry Joe,

"half-inch would be approx. 2mm "

Just realised I have my D's and my r's confused - for 2mm read 4mm

Dave

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[john_morris_uk]

Bolt rope - pretty nifty - I'd forgotten that one...

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[robert_gainer]

Man rope, bell rope, foot rope, water ski tow rope, rope fenders and head rope.

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[robert_gainer]

If you want to splice old braid on braid try soaking the line in water and dishwashing soap first.

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[LadyInBed]

Join the Boy Scouts - that’s where I learnt. And practised hitches on Girl Guides /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[marina95]

John, Yes if you could ask that would be great.

I did see (google) that London Corinthian ran a 1 day course in 2002 to which members were invited to attend for ₤7.50. My only fear with one of the sea schools is that we'll be looking at ₤100 minimum!!

However, that said, if there were one how many would be interested?

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[ashley]

I am relative whipper snapper compared to many here but I am very interested in the way they used to do things.
To this end I would love to learn old crafts such as rope splicing crafts amongst other things.
I am looking to give some of my time to the Thames Sailing Barge Trust in order to learn old boat building skills to help me keep up with the work on my wooden boat too but they might be interested in running a small course of this type

<hr width=100% size=1>A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a Unicorn

 

[john_morris_uk]

- Man rope, bell rope, foot rope, water ski tow rope, rope fenders and head rope. -

Never heard of a man rope. What is the context please?

I always call a rope that tows a water skier a 'tow line.'

'Head rope' is another name for 'head line'?

But I refuse to be pedantic about any of this - just heard it suggested by an old sailor many years ago...





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[gjeffery]

In the 60's, Steel Wire Rope was measured across the diameter, and both synthetic and natural fibre was measured around its circumference. I can still remember the breaking strain and SWL expressions for hemp rope - but have never seen these converted to SI.

Incidently, when the new 8 plat polypropylene mooring rope (about 2 1/2 ins diam) arrived on a reel, with no splicing instructions whatever. When we stopped swaering at it, and started splicing, it was relatively straightforward.

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